Clean Solutions to
Kentucky's Dirty Problems

KEF is celebrating 20 years of working to protect the health and well-being
of Kentuckians and our environment. Join KEF and 4 KY bands.

Natasha's Bistro & Bar
112 Esplanade, Lexington
Wednesday, Sept. 22
8-10 pm

$20    All proceeds go to KEF. Space is limited so reserve your seats:
             http://beetnik.com/reservations/ or call 859-259-2754.
             Click here to access event poster.

Music      The Metafours
             Carla Gover & the Fabulous Ds
             Reel World String Band
             Sunday Valley

Let's celebrate KEF --- working for
       * clean air & clean energy solutions
       * safe chemical weapons disposal
       * a toxic-free future for all of us

See You There!

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KEF receives funding from Bluegrass PRIDE
(Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment)

Aug 23 at Eastern KY University, U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler, on behalf of Bluegrass PRIDE, presented a symbolic check to KEF Executive Director Elizabeth Crowe. KEF will use the funds to launch an Energy & Health Education Project in Madison and Garrard Counties in conjunction with county health departments. Bluegrass PRIDE provides resources and education to empower Central Kentuckians to foster positive environmental change in their communities.

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KEF & REACT
2010 Forecastle Music, Arts and Activism Festival
Waterfront Park July 9 in Louisville

KEF & REACT, members of the national coalition Safer Chemicals/Healthy Families, presented information on the desperate need to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act. They encouraged folks to sign postcards addressed to federal legislators urging them to help pass effective reform legislation.
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Additionally KEF gave a "Clean & Healthy Homes" demonstration.

At left, KEF toxics & health intern Martina Jackson begins her demonstration of how to make a non-toxic window cleaner. Below, an audience participant admires the effectiveness of the non-toxic window spray she just used.

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And REACT explained how air can be monitored.

Charles Pope and Eboni Cochran, of REACT (Rubbertown Emergency Action), both live in a Louisville community adjacent to a cluster of chemical plants called Rubbertown.  At right, Charles, with Eboni's assistance, demonstrates how REACT uses a simple five-gallon bucket device to collect air samples, which are then sent to a lab to be analyzed for types and amounts of chemicals present.

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The Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition has released their animated video, "Toxic Chemical Lobby: Exclusive Leaked Footage."
Click here to access the video and learn how to take action.

The characters you meet in the video are cartoons, but the plot is ripped straight from the headlines. We need Congress to act now, to make sure the products we reach for, sleep on, and eat from every day aren’t loaded with toxic chemicals. You can help Congress stay strong in the face of chemical industry pushback but only if you speak out.

Lexington Herald-Leader
06/25/10 "PSC will review need for Clark Co. coal plant"

PSC News Release
06/24/10 "PSC to Review Planned EKPC Power Plant in Clark County"

Tuesday, June 8, In Winchester
KEF speaks out at Army Corps of Engineers Hearing.
The Corps prepared the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for Smith 1, which the U.S. EPA found to be based, in part, on information that is out-of-date, inaccurate and not sufficiently comprehensive.


Standing with KEF in opposing Smith 1,
Lekey Leidicker, Hannah Crowe and Katherine Dunn
reminded the Army Corps of Engineers that the mercury
emitted by coal-fired power plants is dangerously toxic.
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The Corps of Engineers' dredging permit and its SEIS did not adequately consider options to Smith, as required. For example there was consideration of costs, but using years’ old data and overlooking both the longer-term health costs related to power plant emissions and the benefits of renewable energies instead. I believe we don’t have to settle for more pollution when our health is suffering from the pollution we already have. -- Elizabeth Crowe, KEF's Executive Director                    ____________________________

It seems to me we are all talking about the same things, jobs, a clean environment and affordable electricity.  What we disagree on is the way to accomplish those three goals. Do we stick with antiquated and dirty technologies like coal or do we look to the cleaner technologies of the future, wind, solar, hydro, combined with energy conservation and energy efficiency.  The answer is clear. It's time to look toward a greener energy future and put dirty technologies of the past behind us. -- Mike Hannon, a retired Supervisor for the KY State Division of Air Quality, KEF board member & Blue Grass energy customer

Another Dire EPA Review of Smith 1 Plans

06.03.10 Press Release
EPA raises concerns about air pollution, water quality & financing;
Says co-op failed to consider cleaner options than coal

EPA's Comments on Draft SEIS

EPA's letter: State didn't do sufficient job in assessing dangers of soot pollution from EKPC's Smith 1.

05.25.10 Press Release EPA to State: Pollution permit for coal-burning plant is deficient

Click image below to access BPA report "No Silver Lining: An Investigation into Bisphenol A in Canned Foods."

05.18.10 Press Release Everyday Exposure to Dangerous Levels of Toxic Chemical Unavoidable for U.S. Families New Study Finds Foods Contaminated with Chemical Linked to Chronic Diseases on the Rise Sen. Feinstein, others demand BPA ban in Food Safety Bill

Martina Jackson-Haynes, of Berea, participated in the Bisphenol-A study. The green peas in one of the two cans she contributed were found to have the 2nd highest level of the toxic hormone-disrupting chemical BPA of all the canned goods tested in the study.

Quote from May 18th DC Press Conference:
"I don't know why the green peas Martina purchased from our local Wal-Mart registered the 2nd highest level of BPA of the canned foods tested, but I do know it's time to take action to stop BPA exposure now. I'm angry and frustrated that you can look at a can of food and not have a clue as to what toxics are inside. But I refuse to be paralyzed by the unknown. I know solutions can be found if there is the political will to find them."
                                  --Elizabeth Crowe, KEF Ex. Director

KY Coal-Burners Get Challenged KEF, KFTC, Sierra Club 05.12.10 Press Release: "Groups challenge final air permit for controversial 'Smith' plant" Sierra Club 05.11.10 Press Release: "From Owensboro to Winchester: Groups challenge dirty energy" (KY New Gas in Muhlenberg Co., Cash Creek in Henderson Co., and Smith in Clark Co.)

Chemical Weapons Working Group Reception Honoring Harry Moberly

Harry Moberly, retiring after 30 years as State Representative of the 81st District of Madison Co. has been a leading proponent for safe chemical weapons destruction. On May 4th, KEF's Chemical Weapons Working Group Project honored Harry with an open reception at the Richmond Area Arts Council.

CWWG Director Craig Williams presented Harry with a Certificate of Appreciation for dedicating more than 20 years to safe weapons destruction and for keeping the well-being of Madison Countians a top priority. Appreciation Certificate

Craig also reminded Harry of the 1991 photo below.


     State Rep. Harry Moberly Jr. D-Richmond, urges the crowd of over 1,000 Madison Countians
     to continue their opposition to the Army's plans to build the incinerator.

Thanks, Harry!

KEF's Issues

• Safe Chemical Weapons Disposal
• Clean Air, Clean Energy
• Toxic-Free Future
• Environmentally Sustainable Neighbors/Depot

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EKPC's Smith 1 coal-fired power plant is Too Hazardous for Kentucky Fact Sheet Too Risky for Kentucky Fact Sheet